Jurors watch bodycam video in Jefferson Parish deputy trial | Crime/Police

Body camera videos that captured the final chaotic moments of Daniel Vallee's life were the focus of the first day of trial Tuesday against the two Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office officers accused of unlawfully killing him on a Marrero road in 2022.

Jurors watched via video as Vallee, 34, sat behind the wheel of a parked SUV with his hands up, nervously eyeing officers surrounding his vehicle while responding to a noise complaint outside a crack house.

“You’re all trying to shoot me. Y’all trying to find a way to shoot me,” Vallee screamed desperately, refusing to get out of the SUV.

Within minutes, Vallee's fears would prove true.

According to prosecutors, Vallee died in a hail of gunfire – 27 shots total – from former deputies Johnaton Louis, 37, and Isaac Hughes, 31, after Vallee accidentally honked the vehicle's horn.

“Even though he didn't get out of the car, no one had to die,” Assistant District Attorney Rachel Africk of Jefferson Parish told jurors.

Opening speech

Louis and Hughes are charged with manslaughter. They are believed to be the first Jefferson Parish deputies to be criminally charged with killing a human being. If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.

Last year, Jefferson Parish deputies shot and killed 11 people, more than in the previous five years. A handful of other large law enforcement agencies in Louisiana surveyed by The Times-Picayune reported fewer shootings during the same period. In 2022 and so far in 2024, JPSO deputies shot two people.

Louis and Hughes were two of five officers who responded to the 500 block of Wilson Street in Marrero around 2:15 a.m. on Feb. 16, 2022, after a neighbor made a noise complaint from a home known for drug use, authorities said.

Africk told jurors the defendants were the only two deputies who opened fire that night. Deputies had options other than deadly force, she said. Hughes, in particular, contradicted the training by standing in front of Vallee's running vehicle.

None of the deputies were in immediate danger and Vallee's death was unjustified, Africk said.

Hughes is represented by attorneys John Fuller and Warner Thompson, while Louis is represented by Frank DeSalvo.

DeSalvo said that while “no one had to die,” Vallee chose his fate by not complying. Louis and his colleagues had no idea what Vallee might have been reaching for as he repeatedly dropped his hands in the SUV.

“He decided he was either going to escape in that car or go down in a sea of ​​flames. I believe he chose death because he knew what was coming,” DeSalvo said.

Thompson told jurors that the body camera videos were the best witnesses to the repeated warnings, fear, tension and fear the officers felt as they tried to get Vallee to safely exit the vehicle.

“Mr. Video will show you who is responsible for escalating the situation from a deadly use of force investigation to an armed standoff,” he said.

Intense videos

Jurors on Tuesday were shown two body camera videos from the night of the shooting, including one taken by Deputy Edward Beck, the first deputy sent to the scene. He can be heard ordering Vallee to turn off the engine of the parked SUV while Vallee insists he did nothing wrong.

“You're really testing my patience,” says Beck, standing by Vallee's driver's side window.

“You’re all trying to shoot me,” Vallee replies, the first time the statement has made him nervous during the 15-minute confrontation.

Vallee tells officers he is there to pick someone up at the residence and says he is not causing any trouble.

“I didn’t do anything wrong,” he says as Beck continues to try to get him to get out.

The men continue the exchange, with Beck becoming increasingly frustrated by Vallee's refusal to come out. He tells Vallee that leaving the vehicle is for everyone's safety.

“I feel safer here,” says Vallee.

Vallee's hands are still raised, partly, it seems, to block the light from other deputies' flashlights. According to authorities, Hughes stood outside Vallee's SUV while Louis was near the passenger door with another officer.

Beck warns that he will break the driver's side window and pull Vallee out.

“That’s what you’re trying to do, you want to hurt me,” Vallee says.

“I don’t want to touch you at all. “I just want you to come out so I can identify you,” Beck replies.

The exchange continues for several minutes until Vallee turns on the SUV's engine a second time and the tension increases.

According to authorities, Hughes, Louis and Deputy David Thornton, also on the passenger side, had their guns drawn at that point, although Thornton's was pointed downward. Vallee, Beck and other voices can be heard shouting at each other.

“They’ll fucking shoot you. Turn off the car. “Turn off your car,” Beck shouts.

“If you break the window, I'll fly away,” Vallee shouts, whereupon Beck warns that the police will shoot.

“Are you going to shoot me? “Are you going to shoot me?” Vallee screams. “You’re all trying to shoot me for nothing.”

Vallee raises his hands, but he drops his right hand a few times as both sides continue to scream.

“I'm afraid. “I’m scared, sir,” Vallee says as officers repeatedly order him to turn off the vehicle. “Can you put the weapons away?”

Vallee's hand drops again and the SUV's horn sounds, followed by gunfire. A line of white smoke breaks through the windshield as Valle is shot multiple times.

An autopsy revealed that Vallee was shot eight times in the head, face, back, stomach and fingers, Dr. Dana Troxclair, a forensic pathologist for the Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office.

Prayer for justice

Beck was on the witness stand Tuesday when his body camera video was played for the jury. A 3rd District patrolman and 12-year sheriff's veteran, he testified that he was close friends with Hughes.

Beck never drew his gun. When asked why, he replied: “I had the best view in the car. I didn’t feel like I was in danger, so I didn’t draw my gun.”

Thornton, whose gun was drawn, testified that he did not fire. He said he ran for cover when he heard the shots.

“At that point I didn’t know what the threat was and I was afraid he was coming toward us,” Thornton said.

On Tuesday, Vallee's mother, Tammie Jamhour, 56, her son, Christopher Vallee, 35, and his wife, Annie Vallee, 35, watched the testimony.

Jamhour sobbed and left the courtroom briefly during opening arguments, but held on as the body camera videos were shown to jurors. Still, it was extremely difficult to witness her son's final moments, she said.

“He wasn't perfect, but my son didn't deserve to die like he did,” she said. “He was human. I just pray to God that justice is served for Daniel.”